A REDDITCH baby who was born 14 weeks prematurely defied doctors by reaching his first birthday on Sunday.

Brandon Stokes weighed just 1lb 15oz when he was born and spent 10 weeks on ventilation at Wolverhampton New Cross Hospital before being transferred to the special care baby unit at the Alexandra Hospital.

And for many weeks afterwards it was touch and go as to whether he would survive.

His mother, Claire Stokes, who has just had a baby daughter born 10 weeks early, said Brandon was a jolly child despite his problems.

Mrs Stokes, 22, of Ombersley Close, Woodrow, said: "Brandon has had several hospital admissions. He arrested following his three-month-old vaccinations and needed ventilators again, this time at Birmingham Children's Hospital."

Brandon has also suffered from bronchitis and viral meningitis and still suffers the effect of chronic lung disease.

He is also dependent on oxygen cylinders most of the time, which Mrs Stokes said proved difficult when arranging to go out.

She added: "Doctors said the problems with Brandon's heart and lungs should get better as he gets older but they don't know how much damage has been done to his kidneys yet.

"Brandon is now crawling and beginning to walk despite being attached to his machines and monitors.

"But we would just like to say a big thank you to all our family and friends and hospital staff for all the support we have had in the past year."